0302.33.00.00 - Skipjack tuna (stripe-bellied bonito) (Katsuwonus pelamis)

This HTS classification, 0302.33.00.00, specifically covers fresh or chilled Skipjack tuna, also scientifically known as stripe-bellied bonito (*Katsuwonus pelamis*). This category is part of the broader heading for fish, fresh or chilled, excluding fillets and other fish meat, and is further refined to include specific types of tuna and related species. The defining characteristic of this code is the precise species of tuna, distinguishing it from other tunas and bonito types.

Skipjack tuna is differentiated from its sibling categories primarily by its scientific classification and common name. For instance, it is distinct from Albacore or longfinned tunas (0302.31.00.00), Yellowfin tunas (0302.32.00.00), and various species of bluefin tuna (subheadings 0302.35 and 0302.36). While all fall under the general umbrella of tunas and bonito, the specific species of *Katsuwonus pelamis* is the sole determinant for classification under 0302.33.00.00.

As this HTS code represents a leaf node, it does not have further subcategories. Therefore, classification under 0302.33.00.00 is definitive for fresh or chilled Skipjack tuna. Importers and exporters should ensure that the imported or exported product is unequivocally identified as *Katsuwonus pelamis* to adhere to correct customs procedures. This classification ensures that trade statistics and duty assessments accurately reflect the specific type of tuna being transacted.